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Be Not Weary In Well Doing
March 02, 2014
The life of a believer in, and follower of, Jesus Christ is lifelong. Our good works are to be the fruits of the Holy Spirit of God, day in and day out. Like all work, we may tend to find the work tiring at times. However, we must never relent, for if we do, we shall relinquish our hold on eternal life. There may be times that we feel so weak, weary and soul-sick that we want to give up. We must not. A rest remains in the future of those who do not quit the work. - Bernie Parsons
Be Not Weary In Well Doing
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 03-02-2014
Presented to Load church of Christ on 03-23-2014
As the children of God, we are to abound more and more in good works.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort
you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk
and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus."
Our life in Christ, our life of service to God, is not just coming together
in church assemblies to follow a ritual. Rather, it is a daily life of
living for God, of doing what God has asked us to do.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
It is easy to get tired when one works without let-up, yet this is exactly
what God expects. What does God expect? One of the first and most basic
works of God is to believe in His son, Jesus.
John 6:28 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the
works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent."
Luke 22:31 "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art
converted, strengthen thy brethren."
1 Corinthians 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men,
be strong.
While faith is a work of God, it is only the beginning.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man
shall be blessed in his deed."
While it is vitally important that we study the scriptures to learn what God
would have us do, it is paramount to
do what He would have us to do.
1 John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth."
We can start with common courtesy, empathy, and kindness.
1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing."
Colossians 3:12 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
We can treat others well, seek stability, comfort the helpless, assist those
in trouble, and be patient.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are
unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all
men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that
which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
Is this work? It most certainly is. If you doubt that, try to do all of the
things above. Our work in doing the things that God expects of us will be
rewarded. Our efforts are not wasted.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Hebrews 4:9 "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after
the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
We also know that if we do not do the things of God, we will be judged
accordingly.
2 Corinthians 5:9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we
may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one
may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are
made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences."
Since we know there is a reward for our work, and consequences if we do not,
we must not be slothful, or lazy, about doing the work of God.
Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of
love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to
the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the
full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and
patience inherit the promises."
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if
we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith."
Our faith is manifested through our works. Our works consist of doing good
to others, starting with our fellow believers, but extending outside the
body of Christ to embrace all.
